PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Board has decided the case requires additional development due to the need to verify the Veteran's reported in-service stressors and determine if any current acquired psychiatric disability is related to active duty.

The Veteran's PTSD claim is being remanded for a new examination with an appropriate medical professional to determine if the condition is related to active military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective February 27, 2012. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation as his symptoms do not warrant an increase to more than 30 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by occasional sleep impairment, mild memory loss, situational anxiety, and minimal effect on social and occupational functioning. The VA examiner found the Veteran to be functioning well with no evidence of worsening symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including whether it is related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to his service, while the cervical spine disability is not shown to have been incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a mental health examination to determine the etiology of erectile dysfunction (ED), and preparing an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between ED and service-connected PTSD and diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred for a myocardial infarction are denied as the treatment was not provided to a service-connected condition and no prior authorization was obtained. The Veteran is not eligible for payment or reimbursement under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1725.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and mood disorder, is found to be service-connected. The claim for reopening the low back disorder was also granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was originally filed on October 16, 1996. The effective date of the grant of service connection is set at October 16, 1996.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The effective date for the grant of service connection for schizophrenia is set at July 26, 2005.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, and he is currently rated at 30 percent for PTSD with adjustment disorder. The initial compensable rating of 10 percent for hemorrhoids has been granted. Service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and pulmonary disorder due to asbestos exposure have also been granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, the maximum schedular rating. The claim for service connection for schizophrenia was reopened and granted as secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea and increased ratings for PTSD and CAD are denied. The claim for TDIU is pending as additional development is required.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and peripheral neuropathy of the legs are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Schizophrenia, and a psychiatric disability other than PTSD or Schizophrenia. The claim for service connection of a psychiatric disability other than PTSD or Schizophrenia is granted as new and material evidence has been received. The claims for service connection for PTSD and Schizophrenia remain denied.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the increased initial rating for PTSD, resulting in the dismissal of this issue.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, finding that his current symptoms are related to an in-service personal assault.